Madame Tussauds DC Honors Life And Legacy Of Nelson Mandela

The Famed DC Attraction Welcomed the Figure of Nelson Mandela to the Nation's Capital with the help of the George Washington University

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Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.

Dec 04, 2015, 02:41 ET

Madame Tussauds DC Honors Life And Legacy Of Nelson Mandela

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Madame Tussauds Washington, DC today celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela by welcoming his wax figure to the nation's capital. To remember his life, honor his commitment to social and civil rights and recognize the two years since his tragic passing, his wax figure was placed next to the historic "Free Mandela" Sidewalk Slab located on the George Washington University's campus.

"Madame Tussauds DC is honored to celebrate incredible leaders, revolutionaries and social champions," said Therese Alvich, Regional Manager Madame Tussauds Washington DC. "Nelson Mandela is the epitome of these exemplary traits and we are grateful to offer our visitors the chance to see such an inspirational icon and learn about his life's dedication to equality."

Nelson Mandela, the beloved South African anti-apartheid champion, touched the lives of millions across the world. Students, faculty, staff and the general public were invited to visit Mandela's figure at the "Free Mandela" Sidewalk Slab, before the figure was brought to Madame Tussauds DC attraction where it will remain on display through the month of February.

The Sidewalk Slab, in which the words "Free Mandela" were etched by a student in 1985, is a symbol of GW students' commitment to social justice and a reminder of the political struggles and turmoil during the mid-1980s, when activists were fighting to end apartheid in South Africa.

To date, Madame Tussauds has created six separate figures of Nelson Mandela. In order to capture his exact likeness, Nelson Mandela met with studio artists from Madame Tussauds in November 1990, where hundreds of precise measurements were taken and his skin tone, hair and eye colors were perfectly matched. When the first figure was unveiled in 1991, Mr. Mandela was on-site to meet his wax likeness in person.

The figure of Nelson Mandela will be located in the attraction's Civil Rights Room, where it will join Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitors of Madame Tussauds Washington DC are encouraged to share their Mandela remembrances using the hashtag #MTDCMandela.

About Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.
Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. is a fully interactive, full-sensory experience, where visitors are able to touch, see and hear major historical events and celebrities in a way unlike any other Washington D.C. attraction. The attraction, highlighted by the Presidents Gallery, which features wax figures of all 44 U.S. Presidents, showcases likenesses of some of the world's most recognized individuals, including: international superstars Zac Efron, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Rihanna; entertainment and sports giants Jimmy Fallon, Oprah Winfrey, Babe Ruth, and Tiger Woods, among others. For more information, visit www.madametussaudsdc.com or call 202-942-7300.